“If you look at their payroll, even if Dwight (Howard) comes back, you’ve got to ask the question: Should they amnesty Kobe?” Cuban said during an appearance on ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM’s “Ben and Skin Show.”

“It’s the same reason I wouldn’t get rid of Dirk. I’ll take a hit for a season rather than get rid of Dirk...."

“So I’m just saying that hypothetically. When I say amnesty Kobe, I don’t think they’d do it, but they’ve got some choices to make. Now, they’re in a big market, but they’re still limited. The Knicks, the same thing. Boston, same thing.”

Lakers Response:

"We're aware of Mark Cuban's comments and feel they are inappropriate," Lakers spokesman John Black said. "As to the issue itself, we will not comment publicly on the amnesty issue as it relates to any of our players."

The Lakers will not file a formal complaint with the NBA, though the league is looking into the matter and can fine Cuban for his comments.

You need to work on title because the way you have seems like Cuban has some inside information on the Lakers. He's just putting in his two cents where it isn't needed and then goes on to say the same reason he wouldn't amnesty Dirk is why LA wont amnesty Kobe. It's a non issue.

It's amazing to the owner right down to the Maverick fans. They worry about the Lakers soooooo much! LMAO. They claim to be Laker haters to the max but instead of talking about the successes of their sorry team they talk about Lakers and their players and coaches and future.

In a way I feel bad for that franchise with Cuban there, there is no way to tell if you have a legit chance to win multiple titles because for all we know he might just strip it down again and think he'll land a superstar. lol

I live in Dallas and I be puttin my Ls up in every Mavs fan/Laker hater's face. They ain't saying nothin!

The title of this thread is inaccurate. He did NOT that the Lakers may amnesty Kobe. I'm not here to save Cuban because he's a moron (see the continuation of the situation to Dirk), but he essentially said it's something worth considering from a financial standpoint and he's not completely off. To say that Kobe's contract limits our teams flexibility - potentially to a fault - is the truth; however, the way our salaries are lined up to come off almost all at once we'd only get worse through the amnesty short and long term it won't make a lick of difference.